On Saturday, May 5, the Salem Civic Center parking lot was converted into a driving safety course as part of the Tire Rack Street Survival Driver Training Program. The one-day, $95 course paired teens with professionals to receive hands-on experience needed to become safer, smarter drivers.

Over the course of the six-hour day, which began at 8 a.m., students between the ages of 15 and 21 participated in two hours of classroom instruction and two hours of driving exercises. Breakfast, as well as lunch, was provided. A valid driver’s license was the only thing needed for students to participate.

With an instructor in the front seat, student drivers simulated actual life situations in their own cars. To avoid any accidents, holding the training in a controlled area such as a parking lot versus the highway made the most sense for everyone involved.

Scott Donaldson is an event coordinator for the BMW Car Club of America. His responsibilities include working with different Tire Rack Street officials throughout the country and helping teens gain confidence behind the wheel.

“Every year, approximately 5,000 teens are killed in accidents related to teen drivers. Nearly 90 percent of teen drivers will be involved in an accident during their first three years of driving,” he said. “The Tire Rack Street Survival Program was started by the BMW Car Club of America Foundation to reduce these teen driving-related deaths by teaching young drivers how to anticipate, react to, avoid and respond to dangerous situations on the highway.”

Most drivers, even adults, can easily get distracted while driving. “Distracted driving is defined as any activity that diverts attention. This can include talking or texting on the phone, eating and drinking or dealing with the stereo at a stoplight,” Tire Rack Survival instructor Zeu Elias said.

Parents were invited and encouraged to participate throughout the day. In addition to a completion certificate, students also left with a free shirt. The way Scott Donaldson sees it, “a total group effort made the May 5 driving program a success.”

“The Tar Heel Chapter of the BMW Car Club could never have put this event on without the help from the 21 in-car coaches, over 40 volunteers and the encouragement of the parents,” Scott said. “A special thank you goes to the many volunteers from the other car clubs in the area, Brett Randolph (chairman), Debbie Repass (registrar) and Marc Wilson (lead instructor) who each put in months of their time organizing this event.”